By:
Jill Mencke
October 28, 2025 // Updated: October 28, 2025
Reimagining Youth Justice in Oklahoma provides an overview of Oklahoma’s youth justice system by detailing the environment that youth in Oklahoma face, synthesizing data and reporting findings on the state of the youth justice system today, and offering recommendations for…
Read more [More...]
Shuttered private prisons in Oklahoma are being considered to re-open as immigration detention centers. The primary purpose for companies that operate these private prisons is maximizing shareholder value, not making our communities safe.
[More...]
A new report shows how Oklahoma voters’ decision to prioritize rehabilitation over incarceration has resulted in a dramatic drop in crime, a 47 percent reduction in prison sentences, and the largest local mental health and substance abuse investment in state…
Read more [More...]
This article was co-authored by Gabriela Ramirez-Perez, Immigration Policy Analyst and Polina Rozhkova, Data Analyst.
In the current administration, more and more immigrants are being funneled to detention centers or being held in other forms of federal Immigration and Customs…
Read more [More...]
Oklahoma City's new Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) program represents a meaningful step toward the justice reform envisioned by Oklahoma voters nearly a decade ago. But expanding similar services beyond metro areas requires sustained commitment and investment from the state.
[More...]
By:
Jill Mencke
June 22, 2025 // Updated: June 23, 2025
Oklahoma lawmakers passed new legislation this year to help protect and support children, especially those in foster care, the legal system, and with special needs. While these changes aim to keep kids safe, support families, and improve access to state…
Read more [More...]
By:
Jill Mencke
April 16, 2025 // Updated: April 16, 2025
Oklahoma has an obligation to care for vulnerable youth in our legal and foster systems. This session, Oklahoma legislators have the chance to build upon recent progress to make benefits more accessible and enshrine protections for vulnerable youth in the…
Read more [More...]
By:
Andrew Bell
March 20, 2025 // Updated: March 20, 2025
Oklahoma has executed more than 125 people since the modern era of capital punishment began in 1976, which is by far the nation’s highest per capita rate for executions. Given the prevalence of capital punishment in our state and the…
Read more [More...]
By:
Cole Allen
March 19, 2025 // Updated: March 19, 2025
Once again, the Legislature is ready to work against itself when it comes to Oklahoma’s criminal justice system. The Legislature has advanced some bills that will remove barriers placed on justice-involved people. However, it has also entertained a number of…
Read more [More...]
By:
Cole Allen
October 30, 2024 // Updated: October 30, 2024
OK Policy's Criminal Justice Policy Analyst Cole Allen spoke with lawmakers on Oct. 29, 2024, about how long prison sentences impact the state's parole process.
[More...]
OKPOLICY.ORG
